WASHINGTON — While some might think ‘Deflategate’ was a lot of hot air, it’s still the gift that keeps on giving.
A single ball at the source of so much controversy during the NFL post-season has been auctioned off for $43,740, according to ESPN. It was the only AFC Championship Game ball to make its way into the public domain.
And what a ball it is — it fetched more money than any other at auction, ever.
The ball was one of several tested after the now-infamous ‘Deflategate’ game between the New England Patriots and the Indianpolis Colts on Jan. 18. The Patriots won 45-7.
It was auctioned on behalf of Laura Nichols, who got it from New England Patriots wide receiver Brandon LaFell in the third quarter after his teammate, LeGarrette Blount, scored a touchdown.
According to ESPN, while “it’s unclear exactly how much that particular ball was used in the first half …it was in the rotation of deflated Patriots footballs.” A subsequent report cited four balls in question that were later tested after the game.